The limited express Super Inaba train guide. The fastest train access to Tottori from Okayama

Okayama
Date: 2004.08.12 Camera: OLYMPUS CAMEDIA C5050Z Location: JR Okayama Station
Super Inaba is operated by KIHA 187 series. It is usually only two cars in the formation. (C) Mitsuki-2368 – West Japan Railway DC kiha 187 series Super inaba

Limited Express Super Inaba (スーパーいなば) connects Okayama (岡山) with Tottori (鳥取). It is connected with Shinkansen and Sunrise Izumo/Sunrise Seto. This is the fastest access to Tottori from Tokyo by Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo. If you access to Tottori from Okayama and to the west from Okayama, such as Hiroshima, Hakara and all places in Kyushu and Shikoku. But this train goes through non JR line, Chizu Kyuko Railway. It is operated on same route as Super Hakuto between Kamigori and Tottori. That means you need to pay extra if you use this train by Japan Rail Pass. If you don’t want to pay extra, get on Limited Express Yakumo from Okayama to Yonago and transfer to another Limited Express Super Matsukaze or Limited Express Super Oki to Tottori. However travel time of this combination is at least 1.5 hours longer than Super Inaba. Sometimes it may take more because of connection at Yonago.

Super Inaba is the best route to Tottori from Okayama and west part of Japan anyway. I will show you about route, schedule and accommodations.

Route, schedule and travel time

Tottori-sakyu Sand Dunes is most popular spot in Tottori. ©Tottori Prefecture/©JNTO

There are six round trips between Okayama and Tottori. Trains are operated mostly every 2 hours. Travel time is 1 hour 50 minutes from Okayama to Tottori. If you take Sunrise Izumo from Tokyo, you can continue to travel to Yonago and transfer to Super Matsukaze or Super Oki to Tottori. You don’t need to pay any extra charge on Japan Rail Pass. You can take Limited Express Yakumo from Okayama to Yonago as well if you travel from Okayama or other cities in west part of Japan. You can avoid to pay extra on Japan Rail Pass too. But travel time to Yonago from Okayama is 2 hours 10 minutes. And you have to spend sometime to transfer at Yonago. And then you will spend another 1 hour to get Tottori from Yonago. If you don’t want to spend more than 1 hour, you have to accept extra charge. I will tell you about extra charge on Japan Rail Pass later.

If you travel from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, get on Limited Express Super Hakuto or Limited Express Hamakaze.

Limited Express Super Inaba makes a stop at these stations:
Okayama (岡山) – Kamigori (上郡) – Sayo (佐用) – Ohara (大原) – Chizu (智頭) – Koge (郡家) – Tottori (鳥取)


View Limited Express Super Inaba in a larger map

Extra charge on JR Pass

As I mentioned, you have to pay extra if you use this train by Japan Rail Pass. You have to pay 1,260 yen for the base fare. And also you have to pay one of these following fares:

Non Reserved Oridnary seat420 yen
Reserved Oridnary seat520 yen
Green seatNot available

Accommodation and train formations

Super Inaba is operated by KIHA 187 series. There is only ordinary class. No Green seat is available on this train. The seat configuration is 2+2 and the seat pitch is 970 mm. There is no difference between non reserved seat and reserved seat. On board sales is not available. Please prepare drink or food if you want before boarding.

Train formation

12
RNR

*R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train.

Ordinary class interior (C) W0746203-1

Comments

  1. Kenat says:

    Thanks Takeshi,

    Your replies are great help. Now I know what I need to do.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020.

    Cheers,
    Kenat

  2. Kenat says:

    Hi,
    I have a few questions regarding San’in-Okayama Area Pass.
    1) Can I use the pass on LTD. EXP SUPER INABA from Okayama to Tottori?
    2) My family of 3 adults are travelling on 26 Dec, is it peak travel period?
    3) Do I need to reserve seats on LTD. EXP SUPER INABA for 26 Dec?
    4) Do I need to pay extra for seat reservations?

    Thank you for answering my questions.

    • Hi Kenat,

      1. Yes.
      2. Chiristmas is not super busy but it will be busier than usual.
      3. If you really want to seat together, you may book a seat. But if I were you, I don’t book a seat and go to the platform 30 minute before the departure time to secure the seat in non reserved seat car.
      4. Yes. This pass does not cover a reserved seat fee. You have to add the full amount of reserved seat fee which is 2,460 yen one way per seat.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Kenat says:

        Hi Takeshi,
        Thank you for your helpful reply. Hope you can answer two more questions.
        1) If I go to the platform 30 minute before departure, can I board the train to secure the seats in non-reserved seat car?
        2) Or do I join a queue to wait for LTD. EXP SUPER INABA to arrive at Okayama Station?

        Cheers,
        Kenat

        • Hi Kenat,

          The train usually comes to the platform 10 minutes before the departure time. So you have to wait on the line. If you go there 30 minutes before, I think you will be at the head of the line. You can take seats anywhere.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

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